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The More the Merrier? On the Optimality of Market Size Restrictions

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  • Colin von Negenborn

    (HU Berlin)

Abstract

This paper provides a novel rationale for the regulation of market size when heterogeneous firms compete. A regulator seeks to maximize total welfare by choosing the number of firms allowed to enter the market, e.g. by issuing a certain number of licenses. Opening up the market for more firms has a two-fold effect: it increases competition and thus welfare, but at the same time, it also attracts more cost-intensive firms, driving down average production efficiency. The regulator hence faces a trade-off between raising beneficial competition and detrimental costs. If goods are sufficiently substitutable, the latter effect can outweigh the former. It is then optimal to restrict the market size, rationalizing a limit to competition. This result holds even in the absence of entry costs, search costs or increasing returns to scale, which previous literature required.

Suggested Citation

  • Colin von Negenborn, 2019. "The More the Merrier? On the Optimality of Market Size Restrictions," Rationality and Competition Discussion Paper Series 183, CRC TRR 190 Rationality and Competition.
    • Handle: RePEc:rco:dpaper:183
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    Cited by:

    1. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Kei Kawakami, 2024. "Disclosure services and welfare gains in matching markets for indivisible assets," Review of Economic Design, Springer;Society for Economic Design, vol. 28(3), pages 485-532, September.

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    JEL classification:

    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • L51 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Economics of Regulation

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